Ducks bolster their roster before facing Blackhawks, Blues

Update: The Ducks on Thursday recalled left wing Emerson Etem and center David Steckel from their American Hockey League affiliate in Norfolk, Va., to bolster their lineup for the second half of an especially difficult four-game stretch. The Ducks (18-7-5) earned points in shootout losses Saturday to the San Jose Sharks and Tuesday to the Kings. They recalled Long Beach’s Etem to give them a little more offensive firepower and Steckel because they’re shorthanded at the center position with Mathieu Perreault (lower body) sidelined for tonight’s game in Chicago and Saturday’s contest in St. Louis. The Ducks defeated the Blackhawks all three times they played last season and have a four-game overall winning streak over defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago. The Blackhawks finished first overall in the Western Conference in 2012-13, and the Ducks were second. Ryan Getzlaf leads the Ducks with 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) and Corey Perry has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists). Patrick Kane also has 32 points (16 goals and 16 assists) for the NHL-leading Blackhawks (20-5-4).